The format of 40 over cricket returned to Ward Oval on Saturday with the Empire Billy Goats coming up against the Nymagee Magpies.
Empire Billy Goats won by a dominant 136 runs, in what was a well-rounded team performance.
Empire won the toss and posted a commanding total, led by an excellent innings from Jay Egan, who top-scored with 78 runs off 86 balls, including 12 boundaries and a six.
Tristan Everett contributed a quick-fire 50 (not out) off 31 balls, while Ryan Urquhart made a valuable 31.
Tom McKenna played a destructive knock of 42 off just 22 balls, with a blistering strike rate of 190.90.
Lower-order contributions came from Mathew Shepherd (13) and Jayden Potts (13), while Alec Fraser and Jake Harbison bowled well for Nymagee but couldn’t slow down the scoring rate.
Empire finished strongly, posting a commanding total of 249.
The Nymagee Magpies’ bowling attack had some bright moments but were largely ineffective in restricting the Empire attack.
Aravinth Naguleswarampillai (2/48 off eight overs) and Alec Fraser (2/26 off five overs) were the best performers, taking key wickets.
Jake Harbison (1/27 off eight overs) bowled economically but couldn’t pick up more wickets, while Matthew Nicholson (1/34 off five overs) was consistent.
Chasing a total of 250, the Magpies were bowled out for just 113 in 37.3 overs.
Mark Fraser was the top scorer with a fighting (30 off 35 balls) and Jake Harbison (23 off 16 balls) tried to build partnerships but couldn’t get the team across the line.
The rest of the Magpies’ lineup failed to make an impact, and they were bowled out by Empire’s disciplined bowling attack.
In their defence of 249, the Empire Billy Goats’ bowlers were excellent, with Nicola Harbison leading the charge, taking four wickets for 32 runs in eight overs.
Mathew Shepherd was highly effective with two wickets for eight runs in just two overs, while Tristan Everett (1/7 off three overs) and Ryan Urquhart (1/16 off five overs) were tight in the middle overs.—contributed
